ARTIST STATEMENT

Jennifer Bechem

I paint to understand what I cannot articulate, a vibe, an aura, or atmosphere. The world is complicated and overwhelming, so I paint my confusion to I see what I’m supposed to know, often that which seems so obvious to everyone else. My writings and films are translations of the lessons I’ve learned from my paintings.

​

As an abstract expressionist I employ an intuitive algorithm, akin to synesthesia, to allocate the colors in my paintings so the canvas carries the weight of its subject. I like to say, “Each painting is a postcard from a spirit guide.” Like postcards, my paintings are of many subjects - people, places, events, even music - and are likewise shared with a sense of joy (even if the original material was burdensome).

​

From there I convert my new knowledge to other mediums; I write literary translations and produce films to further articulate my artistic findings. I discover regularly that what perplexed me runs amok in my local, professional, or digital communities and sharing my work helps others ask important questions.

​

I love painting in public - cafes, parks, and happy hours - because people just start talking to me and it’s exhilarating. They share their stories and develop curiosities, providing a link between me, my art, and the sense of community that I thrive on. My artwork is most thrilling to me when it connects me to someone who speaks a different language or resides in a different culture, because although we may not share the words to say it, we acquire hope and magnanimity when we experience commonalities.